BUENOS AIRES, July 28 (Reuters) — O’Higgins faces Boca Juniors on Thursday in Rancagua with a 1-0 deficit. A win by two goals would send the Chilean club to the Copa Sudamericana Round of 16. A draw eliminates them.
The first leg at La Bombonera ended with a solitary goal from Miguel Merentiel. Leandro Paredes provided the assist in the 67th minute. Boca now only needs a draw to advance.
Kickoff is at 21:30 local time (00:30 GMT Friday). The match will be broadcast on ESPN and Fox Sports in Latin America. Streaming is available on Star+.
| Team | Predicted Lineup (4-3-3) |
|---|---|
| Boca Juniors | Romero; Advíncula, Lema, Rojo, Saracchi; Paredes, Miramón, Zenón; Cavani, Merentiel, Giménez |
| O’Higgins | Caraballo; Díaz, Toro, González, Ramírez; Castro, Rabello, Moreira; Ogaz, Castillo, Barticciotto |
O’Higgins coach Lucas Bovaglio called it “one of the most important matches in the history of the institution.” He added: “The country is lining up behind this team. Our mission is to elevate Chilean football.”
Data from the first leg shows O’Higgins held 42% possession. They registered three shots on target to Boca’s five. Defensive discipline kept the scoreline tight, but finishing was absent.
Boca’s away form is a vulnerability. The Xeneize have lost two of their last four away matches in continental competition. O’Higgins’ counter-attacking speed, led by winger Facundo Castro, could exploit gaps.
Estadio El Teniente holds 14,000 fans. It is known for its intense, compact atmosphere. Boca’s Sergio Romero, the veteran goalkeeper, acknowledged the pressure: “We know they will come at us from the first minute.”
A Boca loss would rank among the biggest upsets in Copa Sudamericana history. The Argentine giants have won the tournament twice. O’Higgins has never advanced past the Round of 16.
Match odds imply a tense second leg. Extra time and penalties are a realistic scenario if O’Higgins scores first.
💡 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- Q: What is the current score between Boca and O’Higgins?
- A: O’Higgins trails 1-0 after the first leg at La Bombonera, with a goal from Miguel Merentiel in the 67th minute.
- Q: What does O’Higgins need to advance in the Copa Sudamericana?
- A: O’Higgins needs to win by at least two goals in the second leg to advance to the Round of 16. A draw would eliminate them.
- Q: When and where is the Boca vs O’Higgins match?
- A: The match is on Thursday, July 28, at 21:30 local time (00:30 GMT Friday) at Estadio El Teniente in Rancagua, Chile.
- Q: Who are the key players for Boca Juniors?
- A: Key players include goalkeeper Romero, defenders Advíncula and Rojo, midfielder Leandro Paredes, and forwards Edinson Cavani and Miguel Merentiel.
- Q: What is O’Higgins’ chance of pulling off an upset?
- A: O’Higgins has a chance due to Boca’s poor away form (two losses in last four away continental matches) and O’Higgins’ counter-attacking speed, led by winger Facundo Castro.
Extended Reading
Data sourced from Infobae, Emol, and OneFootball reports (July 23-28, 2026). HA Viewpoint provided no direct input for this match analysis.